Viseur is an online project funding platform that facilitates the expression of various requirements of users at various level in a software project. The core function of the website would be to allow users with any level of computer literacy to share their ideas and requirements with the community so that an interested party would eventually develop or fund them. Therefore, it enables
- End-users
- to publish their software requirements and acquire a developer willing to produce it
- Developers
- to publish their start-up projects
- Investors
- to browse and pick developer start-ups worth investing
Ideas in first and second levels (End user and developer levels) are evaluated by peers and presented to the users of the level directly above them (Developers and investors, respectively). Depending on the level of interest, a user will be able to reserve an idea by paying the owner and the platform provider who will then remove the idea from the search index. This could be either for commercial distribution purposes or to avoid competition.
The website would depend on community judgment in cases of duplication or any other inappropriate content.
Summary of scope
- User, idea and project items management (create/edit/update)
- Tailored and focused feed for each type of user
- Live rating and commenting and timed retrievals
- Messaging system for end-users and developers, and developers and investors to communicate and negotiate prices
Demonstrations
Detailed Functionality
Every user have to register in Viseur who are willing to interact within the website. Afterward user have to select the level of user which categorize them under any one level of the above mentioned three types of users. All content of the website would be accessible for view by all the users but the actions they could perform and their interactions with the data model will be limited according to their level. Users will have the option to upgrade their accounts to higher levels over time.
Further functionality could be classified according to the users as below.
L1 – End-users
This level is introduced for individuals with less minimal amount of knowledge on software development and for individuals with lack of computer experience. They can search for ideas that have been put forth by their peers for their requirements and they can request for them. Important feature is they are allowed to upload their own ideas and if they have a knowledge on software development sector they can add the target device they need the application for, the operating system, preferred programming language. But the crucial need is to give a detailed description about their software requirements.
Other users will be allowed to comment alternative solutions for these ideas and request to remove the idea from website. A level 1 idea entry will be archived at the request of the owner or upon reaching a pre-defined number of archive requests. The ideas that offer a price for being developed will not have the capability of being archived until owner requests due to the unpredictability of service satisfaction. This method will also secure an opportunity for a potential developer who is willing to develop it for the specified price.
If a user is willing to pay someone for the idea to be developed, the price quota will be specified in the idea form. These ideas will not be archived from search index until the owner withdraws the request.
Level 1 users will also be able to view the most recent and most popular business plans put forth by level 2 user and generate buzz for those ideas via confirming their interest.
L2 – Developers
This level is introduced for software engineers, computing undergraduates (students), entrepreneurs or programming enthusiasts who are looking for inspiration. They can search ideas posted by level one users and they have the opportunity of searching most requested ideas and most recent projects. Some other search criteria would be by requested programming language, for requested platform, and by the operating system. These users will be allowed to claim and reserve the idea by immediately paying a pre-specified amount to the idea owner and hide the entry from the search index
If the idea owner offers a price for the development of the project, reserving the project will be free of charge and after the reserve request, the contact details of the owner will be displayed. Level 2 users will also be allowed to comment alternative software suggestions to the level 1 users and make archive requests.
The level 2 users will also be allowed to add their business proposals in detailed profiles to the data collection. These would essentially involve the nature of the business or the product they are planning to develop, the planning documents, cost benefit analysis and etc. The essential information and detailed description will be mandatory and the related document inclusion will be encouraged.
Level 1 and 2 users will be allowed to generate buzz for these profiles. Only a limited amount of data will be displayed to the level 1 and 2 users and the specific details will only be visible to level 3 users.
L3 – Investors
These will be business professionals who are looking to invest in new and interesting projects.
They will have a news feed consisting of the business proposals that has generated the most buzz within a defined time period. An auto generated digest of these trending proposals will be emailed to them each week. They will also be allowed to search for the proposals according to their interests and view detailed profiles. Level 3 users are allow to put archive requests for level 2 business projects.
User-level based Customizations
Idea/Project input forms specific for first and second level users
Forms with specific fields are available for level one and level two users. Uploading documents, images and logos, header images are also allowed within these forms.
Email digest for level 3 users
Emails regarding top rated projects, ideas and recent projects are sent to all level three users. For this Java Mail API via Gmail SMTP is used.
Customized ratings and/or comments system for different types of ideas and projects
Level one and two users are provided the opportunity of rating the posted ideas and projects belonging to their peers. These ratings and views are displayed in front of every idea or project to give the user a brief idea about the particular project or idea. Users have the opportunity of posting comments on any project or ideas that has been uploaded by other users.
Search options with multiple criteria optimized for each level of user
Level one users and level two users are provided the facility of searching ideas. While level two users can search ideas and projects according to the specific operating systems, programming language and the platform required. Level three users are also allowed to search for the proposals according to their interests and view detailed profiles
Conclusion
The project was chosen to emphasize the importance of individual inspiration, which has fluctuating values to individuals in different positions. The implemented website could connect users with varying levels of IT literacy and allow them fulfill each other’s intellectual and financial needs as a community. It would deliver a valued experience to its contributors through fusing creative thinking with development and funding capabilities.